Category: perseverance

Sometimes we are offended by God (or at least disappointed) when we go through difficult circumstances. But the Holy Spirit tells us to think in a different manner: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that we may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4)

In nature, the caterpillar would probably appreciate a little help getting out of the cocoon. But without the struggle, he can never become a healthy, beautiful butterfly. “Though He slay me, still I will trust him,” were the words of one who endured loss and experienced every emotion suffering brings. In the story of Job, we’re also told of behind-the-scenes Satanic involvement. Who know what types of similar stories are taking place today?

There are so many unknowns in suffering that it might be best to focus on two things: 1) Trust God; 2) Persevere. If I can trust God with all my heart and refrain from leaning on my own understanding, then I can look forward to straight paths. And if I can simply take the next step with my eyes on Jesus, then I can look forward to finishing the race. In order to be formed into the image of Christ, we must learn to persevere. When we persevere, we demonstrate that we truly believe what God tells us to be true.

Let us receive encouragement from the Holy Spirit and let us encourage one another to never give up.

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds… So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what is promised.”  Hebrews 10:23,24,35,36

“But because of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved praise from men more than praise from God.” (Jn 12:42-43) Here the Holy Spirit links misplaced fear to a misplaced love. If I am seeking praise from people; if my energy goes toward impressing others; if the opinions of my community impact my decisions and my living… then I am on a roller coaster that Jesus never rode.

Even enemies noticed that the rabbi from Nazareth disregarded the addictive praise of his fellow man: “Teacher, we know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with truth. You aren’t swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are.” Am I swayed by men? “I go to church; I give a tenth of my income to God; I pray.” So? The teachers of the law and the Pharisees were the most religious of their day, but Jesus said, “Everything they do is done for men to see.” Religion can cloak our true motives, but Jesus looks straight into the heart. “Go to church, give your money, pray… but do you know my Father? Justice, mercy, faithfulness… these are the things that make him smile. Plant yourself in God and love, joy, and peace will spring from your life. Abide in me and patience, kindness, and goodness will define who you are. Let Living Water flow through you and faithfulness, gentleness, and self control will be evident. This fruit does not come from your religious efforts. Know God.”

People used to ask the late Keith Green how to enter the music ministry. “My answer to their question is almost always the same. ‘Are you willing to never play music again? Are you willing to be a nothing? Are you willing to go anywhere and do anything for Christ? Are you willing to stay right where you are and let the Lord do great things through you, though no one may really seem to notice at all?’…I repent of ever recording one single song and having performed one concert if my music, and more importantly, my life has not provoked you into Godly jealousy or to sell out more completely to Jesus!”

Jesus set no ‘PR’ goals. His brothers questioned his strategy: “You ought to leave here and go to Judea, so that your disciples may see the miracles you do. No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” But these guys did not believe in their brother… so they didn’t really know God. Do I let myself be swayed by people who don’t really know God? Jesus made no plans apart from his Father. His focus was clear and uncompromised: “Here I am – I have come to do your will, O God.” The need of man was to believe who he was, but Jesus saw that people cared more about the accolades of their peers. “I do not accept praise from men, but I know you. I know you do not have the love of the Father in your hearts. I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him. How can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God?” (John 5:41-44) Has anything changed?

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10

Taylor crawled out of his girlfriend’s car Sunday morning in a bit of pain. But he had a smile on his face because he had just completed a marathon in Atlanta, breaking the time goal he had set for himself. “Do you remember the words, ‘Run with perseverance the race marked out for you’?” he asked. “Dad, that verse just took on new meaning.”

We know ‘perseverance’ involves putting one foot in front of the other and never quitting, but I wonder if it also involves a certain type of belief. I talked to Taylor yesterday. “To finish that race, you had to believe you could do it, right?” He agreed. We know Peter sank because he took his eyes off Jesus, distracted by the wind and the waves surrounding him. But I imagine self doubt also crept in. “Why did I step out of the boat? I can’t do this!”

Our friend Scott Harsh just got a great report from the doctor. No cancer activity was found in his body. We praise God. I know exactly how Scott felt as he came to the end of three months of chemotherapy. “I don’t think I handle this last treatment.” But you press on… because you must. You’re persevering for your wife and kids more than you’re doing it for yourself. When the race seems far more brutal than a marathon, but it is the one you’ve been given to run, you remember: “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” Jesus says, “My grace is sufficient” so we must believe and persevere.

But what if the end comes? What if the job is lost or the relationship is severed or death occurs? How do we persevere when there is no more hope? Surely we must follow Abraham’s example: “Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed…” Believe God can still bring good… is this not what we’re called to do? Jesus even has the power over death. Is this not true? You know I am not being flippant about such matters. We all want to know: “How does God want me to think? How does God want me to live?” Sometimes I take the next step because I’m young, I’m healthy, I believe I can do it, and I hear my girlfriend cheering me on. Other times I take the next step because I simply know I must. Christ is with me… that’s his promise and he cannot lie. But there are occasions that seem utterly impossible. I’m not young; I’m not healthy; I don’t believe I can do it; I can’t feel Christ’s presence; I can’t remember his promises; and I don’t even see a next step. What now? God says, “Believe, my child. Hope in me. Wait on me. In the end you will not be disappointed.”

“Why do you say, O Jacob, and complain, O Israel, ‘My way is hidden from the Lord; my cause is disregarded by my God’? Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:27-31

(I won’t be able to write the next couple of weeks. Susan and I are going to see our missionary friends in Namibia. Thanks for your prayers.)

“The devil led him to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, ‘I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me and I can give it to anyone I want to. So if you worship me it will be all yours.’” Jesus didn’t deny Satan’s claim of ownership but he did resist the temptation. “The prince of the world is coming,” Jesus said on another occasion, “but he has no hold on me.”

Satan constantly invites us to venture into his world. There, like those who have walked before us, we succumb to the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life. Sin tangles us up and prevents us from running a good race. “Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles and run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” We can’t run in Jesus’ world with compromised affection for Satan’s world. He’s a master at getting the child of God to split allegiance. “You don’t need just one true love. It is OK to love God and love the world. You can be a Christian and be like everyone else.” The enemy likes us to be double-minded.

Two strategies the devil has used throughout the ages are quite apparent today. One is to produce fear. Someone once told me (I have not counted to confirm) that there are 365 occasions in the Bible where we are told not to fear – one for each day of the year. Why so many reminders? God knows the devil uses fear to draw us into his world of worry, inactivity, and chaos. Jesus is in the boat with me; a storm comes up; it looks like I am going to sink; Jesus sleeps; what do I do? I’m not sure how to keep the heart from thumping a little harder as the wind howls and the waves splash, but Jesus clearly says, “Don’t be afraid.” That’s the voice I want to heed. I know too well the other voices: “He’s left you. You can’t really trust him. What’s going to happen to your family? His promises weren’t really for you. He won’t blame you if you abandon ship and look elsewhere for answers.” Fear causes us to lose our bearings. We react to circumstances rather than keep our feet fixed on the Rock. I don’t want to give in to fear.

The other strategy the devil loves is confusion. Notice in the Gospels how many times Jesus was accused of being demon possessed. Demon possession is not uncommon in one of the towns we visited in Brazil this past December. Three members of my family saw things that shocked them. They prayed for a woman who had given herself to the devil through the witchcraft that is very prevalent in the region. They saw and sensed evil and were greatly disturbed. So why was the Son of God accused of being inhabited by Beelzebub? “You are demon possessed!” The devil’s tactic is confusion. “No one can deny this Teacher’s power. No one can hide the healings taking place. So let’s just get people discussing his source. If the seed is planted that makes them think a demon is at work then perhaps people will discount his words.” “How preposterous!” we argue. But confusion is effective in Satan’s world.

A spirit of darkness will pose as an angel of light… and the angel of light will be accused of being a spirit of darkness. The false prophet will pretend to be a spokesman for God… and the true spokesman for God will be accused of being a false prophet. A bad thing will carry the name ‘good’ in our society… and something really good will be labeled ‘bad.’ Partial truths, white lies, planned deception… the ‘father of lies’ knows how to confuse and there’s not one of us smart enough to figure it all out. But there is One smart enough – Jesus calls Satan’s hand every time and he offers us instruction, grace, and wisdom. May we walk closely with the Master and far away from Satan’s world.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.” James 1:5-8

An incredible gift from a generous friend upon her graduation from high school allowed our oldest daughter, Kinsey, to take one person on a trip. For a while I thought I would be the person, but somehow Kinsey’s brother displaced her dad. I was not too heartbroken, happy that my kids love each other enough to want to hang out together. They chose to backpack on their spring break through Italy and fly home from Paris. Through quite a few adventures, brother and sister made it home this past Saturday. (Mom and Dad are still praising God!) As we got word they arrived in Italy last Sunday in time for church in St. Peter’s Square, I thought of Henri Nouwen’s book entitled, “CLOWNING IN ROME.”

My friend Joe recently discovered another book by Henri Nouwen entitled, “CAN YOU DRINK THE CUP?” This priest, a native of Holland who taught at Notre Dame, Yale, and Harvard before spending the remainder of his life serving mentally handicapped adults at L’Arche Daybreak Community in Toronto, Canada, had the most incredible way of sharing profound truths in simple ways. He taught that the secret to ‘rejoicing in the Lord’ is the recognition that God has given each of us a cup to drink. He divided this small book into three parts: holding the cup, lifting the cup, and drinking the cup. He completed this writing in February of 1996, 8 months before his death. Here’s a taste of Nouwen’s wisdom and the familiar story of our Savior and two of his eager followers:

It is important to be very specific when we deal with the question: ‘How do we drink our cup?’ We need some very concrete disciplines to help us fully appropriate and internalize our joys and sorrows and find in them our unique way to spiritual freedom. I would like to explore how three disciplines – the discipline of silence, the discipline of the word, and the discipline of action can help us drink the cup of salvation. The first way to drink our cup is in silence.

This might come as a surprise, since being silent seems like doing nothing, but it is precisely in silence that we confront our true selves. The sorrows of our life often overwhelm us to such a degree that we will do everything not to face them. Radio, television, newspapers, books, films, but also hard work and busy social life can be ways to run away from ourselves and turn life into a long entertainment.

The word ‘entertainment’ is important here. It means literally ‘to keep (‘tain’ from the Latin ‘tenere’) someone in between (‘enter’).’ Entertainment is everything that gets and keeps our mind away from things that are hard to face. Entertainment keeps us distracted, excited, or in suspense. Entertainment is often good for us. It gives us an evening or a day off from our worries or fears. But when we start living life as entertainment, we lose touch with our souls and become little more than spectators in a lifelong show. Even very useful and relevant work can become a way of forgetting who we really are. Silence is the discipline that helps us go beyond the entertainment quality of our lives. There we can let our sorrows and joys emerge from their hidden places and look us in the face, saying: ‘Don’t be afraid; you can look at your own journey, its dark and light sides, and discover your way to freedom.’ At first the silence might only frighten us. In silence we start hearing the voices of darkness: our jealousy and anger, our resentment and desire for revenge, our lust and greed, and our pain over losses, abuses, and rejections. These voices are often noisy and boisterous. They may even deafen us. Our most spontaneous reaction is to run away from them and return to our entertainment. But if we have discipline to stay put and not let these dark voices intimidate us, they will gradually lose their strength and recede into the background, creating space for the softer gentler voices of the light. These voices speak of peace, kindness, gentleness, goodness, joy, hope, forgiveness, and, most of all, love. They might at first seem small and insignificant, and we may have a hard time trusting them. However, they are very persistent and they will grow stronger if we keep listening. They come from a very deep place and from very far. They have been speaking to us since before we were born, and they reveal to us that there is no darkness in the One who sent us into the world, only light. They are part of God’s voice calling us from eternity: ‘My beloved child, my favorite one, my joy.’

The enormous powers of our world keep drowning out these gentle voices. Still they are the voices of truth. (From: “CAN YOU DRINK THE CUP? pp 93-96)

“Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. ‘Teacher,’ they said, ‘we want you to do for us whatever we ask.’ ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ he asked. They replied, ‘Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.’ ‘You don’t know what you are asking,’ Jesus said. ‘Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?’ ‘We can,’ they answered. Jesus said, ‘You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.’” (Mark 10:35-40)